Daily Current Affairs UPSC 25 April 2024

Sympathetic Solar flares

Sympathetic Solar Flares Captured by NASA:

• NASA recently captured four sympathetic solar flares erupting simultaneously.
• These solar flares are caused by multiple eruptions across the Sun's magnetic field, connected by massive magnetic field loops above the solar surface.
• When one eruption occurs, it triggers others to follow suit, leading to coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and bursts of plasma.
• This solar activity is a sign that the Sun is likely reaching the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, known as solar maximum.

Payment aggregator (PA)

1. PayU has been granted preliminary approval by the Reserve Bank of India to                  function as a Payment Aggregator (PA).

2. A PA is a fintech company that streamlines the process of receiving electronic                  payments for businesses.

• It serves as a middleman between the business and financial institutions.
• PAs are established as companies under the Companies Act of 1956/2013.
• Non-bank PAs must obtain authorization from the RBI under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act of 2007.

Article 244(A)

Demand for Implementation of Article 244(A) in Diphu Constituency

• The people of Diphu Constituency in Assam are calling for the implementation of Article 244(A) of the Constitution.
• Article 244(A) was added to the Constitution through the 22nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1969.
• It allows for the creation of an autonomous State in certain tribal areas of Assam.
• The autonomous state would have its own local Legislature or Council of Ministers, or both, for local governance.
• It grants more powers to tribal areas compared to the Sixth Schedule, giving them control over law and order in the region.

Crystal Maze 2

Indian Air Force successfully tests Crystal Maze 2 missile.

• The Indian Air Force recently conducted a successful test of the Crystal Maze 2 missile, a medium-range ballistic missile developed by Israel.

Details of Crystal Maze 2 (ROCKS)

• The Crystal Maze 2 missile, also known as ROCKS, has a strike range of over 250 km and is classified as an air-to-surface missile.

Purpose of Crystal Maze 2

• The missile is designed to target high-value stationary and relocatable targets in GPS-denied environments, making it a valuable asset for the Indian Air Force.

Capabilities of Crystal Maze 2

• The Crystal Maze 2 missile can target long-range radar and air defense systems, enhancing the Indian Air Force's ability to strike key enemy assets.

Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS)

Supreme Court Halts Construction of Dams in Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary.

• The Supreme Court has put a stop to the building of four proposed dams within the Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Haryana's Yamunanagar district.
• Located at the meeting point of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest sanctuary in Haryana situated in the lower Shivalik range of the Himalayan foothills.
• The sanctuary is bordered by the Yamuna River to the east and is recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
• Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary is primarily a Broadleaf Deciduous Forest, consisting of trees such as sal, khair, shisam, tun, sain, and amla.
• The sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife including leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, and other species.

Voyager 1

Voyager 1 Resumes Sending Engineering Updates to Earth

• Voyager 1 had previously stopped sending data back to Earth in November 2023.
• The spacecraft has now resumed sending engineering updates to Earth.
• Voyager 1 was launched in 1977 with the mission to fly by Jupiter and Saturn.
• The probe is currently in interstellar space, which is the region outside the heliopause.
• Voyager 1 was the first spacecraft to cross the heliosphere, which is the boundary where the influences outside our solar system are stronger than those from our Sun.
• The spacecraft made significant discoveries, including a thin ring around Jupiter and the Jovian moons Thebe and Metis.

The Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC)

GNAFC Launches Global Report on Food Crises

• The GNAFC, or Global Network Against Food Crises, launched the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) which is produced annually by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN).
• The GRFC aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the global food crisis situation and help guide initiatives, partnerships, programs, and policies to address the root causes of food crises.
• The GNAFC was launched in 2016 by the European Union, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Food Programme (WFP).
• Its goal is to better link, integrate, and guide existing initiatives, partnerships, programs, and policy processes to address the root causes of food crises.
• The GNAFC brings together governments, international organizations, and NGOs to improve humanitarian responses and reduce the number of people facing acute food insecurity.

Nomination in Election

Requirements for a Valid Nomination

• Section 33 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 outlines the requirements for a valid nomination.
• Candidates from recognised political parties need one proposer, while candidates from independent and unrecognised parties need ten proposers.
• All proposers must be electors from the respective constituency.

Rejection of Nominations

• Section 36 of the RoPA allows the Returning Officer to reject a nomination if the signature of the candidate or proposer is found to be not genuine.

Kenya (Capital: Nairobi)

Capital City Devastated by Heavy Rains and Floods.

Political boundaries in the capital city are located on the East Africa coast and are bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Somalia to the east, Ethiopia and South Sudan to the north, and Uganda and Tanzania to the west and south respectively.

Geographical features in the capital city include major mountains such as Mt Kenya (the second highest in Africa), Aberdare Range, and Mau Escarpment. Major rivers in the area include the Athi and Tana rivers, with Lake Victoria located on the western border. The capital city is bisected horizontally by the Equator and the Great Rift Valley passes through it.

 Bhutan Hosts Conference on Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes

Attendees at the conference

• The conference was attended by representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Aim of the conference

• The main goals of the conference were to develop new financial mechanisms for tiger conservation, link tiger conservation to global biodiversity and climate agendas, and involve indigenous peoples and local communities in conservation efforts.

Outcome of the conference

• The conference acknowledged the tiger as the emblematic species of Asia and a revered cultural and spiritual symbol. 
• There was a commitment to catalyze US$1 billion in additional funding for tiger conservation by 2034. 
• The United Nations Development Programme presented the Tiger Landscapes Investment Fund, and the Asian Development Bank proposed a "tiger bond." 
• Emphasis was placed on securing the 63 vital tiger landscapes for long-term tiger recovery.

Significance of conservation of tiger landscapes

• Tiger conservation landscapes are large blocks of habitat with low human footprint suitable for tigers. 
• Specific investments in these landscapes are necessary to sustain population trends and associated benefits. 
• Conservation of tiger landscapes serves as a model for harmonious coexistence between local communities and biodiversity, encourages carbon sequestration, ensures the supply of ecosystem services, and helps mitigate climate change. 
• The global tiger population has increased from 3,200 in 2015 to approximately 4,500 in 2022.

Impact of Global Immunizations: Saving 154 Million Lives

Analysis of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI)

• The study focused on the EPI launched by WHO in 1974 to ensure global access to life-saving vaccines for children.
• Key findings included the significant impact of vaccines on reducing infant mortality and the gain of 66 years of full health for each life saved through immunization.

Factors contributing to increased access to immunization

• Collaboration among stakeholders like governments and health agencies has played a crucial role.
• Organizations like UNICEF and GAVI have worked to expand vaccine access globally.

Challenges in Immunization

• Inequitable vaccine distribution and financing of vaccination are major challenges.
• Misinformation and fear of side effects among populations hinder immunization efforts.

Initiatives in India

• Mission Indradhanush and UIP aim to provide free vaccines against life-threatening diseases for children.
• The U-WIN digital platform is being piloted for routine immunization.

Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI)

• GAVI is a Vaccine Alliance launched in 2000 with core founding members like WHO, UNICEF, and BMGF.
• It aims to expand the impact of EPI and increase vaccine coverage in the poorest countries.
• India became the first implementing country to donate to GAVI in 2014.

FSSAI Raises Maximum Residue Limit for Pesticides in Herbs and Spices

• MRL stands for Maximum Residue Limit and is the highest legally tolerable level of pesticide in food or animal feed.
• Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) sets MRLs for pesticides in food and feed crops for food safety and international trade.
• Established jointly by FAO and WHO in 1963.

Indian Regulations on MRL

• MRLs in India are specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulation, 2011 by FSSAI.
• Fixed based on field trial data received through CIBRC under the Ministry of Agriculture.

Issues with Increasing MRL

• Can lead to ingestion of more pesticides into the human body.
• Can lead to a ban on export of Indian food items due to high pesticide residue.

Suggestions for the Way Forward

• Bringing more transparency in field trial data.
• Registering more pesticides under CIBRC.

About FSSAI

• Established as a statutory authority under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• Comes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Role includes laying down science-based standards for food articles and regulating their manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale.

PwC India Report on India's Sustainability Transition

Analysis of Companies' Adaptation to BRSR Disclosures

• The report examines how companies are adjusting to the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) requirements set by SEBI.
• BRSR Framework and Disclosures
• BRSR is a mandatory reporting mechanism for the top 1000 listed companies to disclose their ESG performance.
• SEBI's guidance document outlines three types of disclosures: general, management and process, and principle-based.

Objectives of BRSR

BRSR aims to enhance compliance, consistency, and communication regarding non-financial disclosures.

Introduction of BRSR Core

• BRSR Core was introduced in 2023 to improve the reliability of ESG disclosures.
• It includes a specific set of key performance indicators across ESG attributes.

Significance of BRSR

• Transparency: BRSR allows stakeholders to evaluate a company's sustainability efforts related to ESG aspects.
• Brand Positioning: Embracing sustainability enhances a company's brand value.
• Value Creation: Companies integrating sustainability outperform peers, leading to a competitive edge and higher enterprise value.

Key Findings

• Scope 3 Disclosures: 51% of companies disclosed their Scope 3 data for FY23, even though it was voluntary in the BRSR.
• Emissions Reduction: 34% of companies reduced their Scope 1 emissions and 29% reduced their Scope 2 emissions.
• Renewable Energy Consumption: 49% of companies increased their energy consumption from renewable sources.

RBI Issues Master Direction for ARCs

RBI's Guidelines for Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs)

• Purpose of the Guidelines: The guidelines have been issued to ensure the responsible and effective operation of ARCs and to safeguard the interests of investors.
• Role of ARCs: ARCs are financial entities that purchase Non Performing Assets (NPAs) or distressed assets from banks and financial institutions in order to help them clean up their balance sheets. The Union Budget 2021-22 announced the establishment of ARCs, which are regulated by the RBI under the SARFAESI Act, 2002.
• RBI's Directives to ARCs: The RBI has directed ARCs to maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio of 15% of their total risk-weighted assets. They are also prohibited from raising funds through deposits and are restricted from investing in land or buildings, except for their own use, up to 10% of their owned funds.
• Importance of ARCs: ARCs play a crucial role in expediting the resolution of stressed assets, leading to better value realization. They also contribute to injecting liquidity into the economy, improving the valuation of banks, and enhancing their ability to raise capital in the market.

TRAI Recommendations on Telecom Infrastructure and Spectrum Sharing

Current Spectrum Regulations

• Only spectrum trading and intra-band spectrum sharing are currently allowed.
• Spectrum refers to radio frequencies used for communication in the mobile industry and other sectors.

Telecommunications Act, 2023

• The Central Government may permit sharing, trading, leasing, and surrender of assigned spectrum.
• Recommendations are based on the proposal to allow sharing of all types of telecom infrastructure and network elements.

Issues with Spectrum Sharing and Leasing

• Active infrastructure involves electronic components, while passive infrastructure is non-electronic.
• Ambiguities exist in provisions related to infrastructure sharing.

TRAI Recommendations

• Licensees should be allowed to share passive infrastructure like buildings and towers.
• Infrastructure funded by Digital Bharat Nidhi should allow roaming for other service providers in remote areas.
• Spectrum leasing and inter-band spectrum sharing should be permitted for efficient spectrum use.

Significance of Recommendations

• Improves cost efficiencies and time to market for telecom companies.
• Extends services to underserved areas and addresses connectivity issues for subscribers.

About TRAI

• Established in 1997 by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act.
• Aims to provide a fair and transparent policy environment for fair competition in the telecom sector.